I really need help...it's been a year, and I'm beyond frustrated.

So I started my weight loss journey in June of 2013. I was far expecting I would've already reached my final goal of 125 lbs. Well, I'm almost there, and I've been almost there for what seems like forever.

I try to stay around 1200 calories a day, and I always try to get a lot of protein in. I started working out 6 times a week on May 28th. When I weighed myself June 1, I gained a little, but that's because I wasn't too on track the weeks before. The week after that, I lost 2.4 pounds. I was excited, I thought I was on a good track! But then last week, I only lost .2 pounds. I was a little upset, but I was thinking, it's okay, next week it'll probably fix itself. This week, I have a net total of .4 pound gain. WHAT THE HECK!

I drink A LOT of water. At least 5 16.9 oz bottles a day. I do Zumba 3 times a week, and then I do core, jogging, and weights the other 3 times a week. I always stay between 1200-1300 calories (minus 3 or 4 days this month).

So yeah, my weight shouldn't matter. I've thought about that. So, I also started measuring myself May 28th as well. But every week my measurements have fluctuated. It makes me feel even more awful. I invested in a measuring tape that is supposed to have the same amount of pull every time, so maybe that'll be more accurate. But as of right now, I feel like I've gained inches, not lost them.

Someone please give me advice. I feel so close, yet so far away, and I'm frustrated. The only thing I keep thinking is if I'm going to gain weight / stay the same, I might as well eat whatever the f**k I want. Please help!

My suggestion would be to get rid of some of your processed snack type foods and add some vegetables. Sometimes you just need to change up your eating habits. Also, make sure you are measuring out your foods and counting everything! I reached my initial goal last October and became a little complacent - I have fluctuated 5 lbs from my goal since October, when I really want to drop another 10-15 lbs. Anyways, basically I was not counting the extra tastes and adding a little extra sauce here and there and was easily eating 200-300 extra calories, even though I was counting calories. I was always in a deficit, but it still seemed to affect my weight - that and some hormonal issues. Anyways, I refocused my energy about a month ago and I think it is working. I refuse to give up and you shouldn't either. You just have to dig deep and try to figure out why you are stuck. I've been at this for awhile and have made adjustments along the way - increased daily activity at work, increased exercise, decreased intake, increased intake, ate a whole lot for one week, fasted for 12 hours... Sometimes you just have to shake things up!

I've recently tried adding some spinach to my fruit shake in the morning, but vegetables are hard for me. Besides corn, I can't really find too much I like. But I do need to become more strict on what I am recording. I have a food scale that I use religiously, so I weigh everything (meet, fruit, vegetables!). But I guess that doesn't help when I'm sneaking goldfish before I go to bed, or a little bite size candy at work. I agree I need to shake things up, but I don't know how. I'm afraid of trying to eat more because I don't want to gain more weight, and at the same time, I don't think I could survive if I ate less. I would starve! I did go back on birth control a little over a month ago, I wonder if that might have something to do with it?

I was eating normally about 4 weeks ago before I started working out. I don't know how many calories to eat, because I don't want to eat too much. I eat a lot of protein, and except for the days where I have pizza, most of my fat comes from peanut butter jelly sandwich, protein bars, and protein shake.

I remember reading somewhere that there is known correlation between birth control pills and weight gains. Something to read upon or check with your doctor. Exercise is only half the solution; you need to really pay attention to food, and make sure that the 1200 you eat comes from good cals and not junk food like burger spreads.Vegetables and fruits are core, so you need to develop taste for them, since anything can be acquired.

I record those kind of things. And I hardly ever put anything like that on sandwiches (I hate mayo, and I like eating "dry" sandwiches, even though I get made fun of ;p). I tried making a vegetable juice one day...didn't turn out so well. Do you have any recommendations for what I could do to make vegetables edible?

Muscle weighs more than fat I am told. Keep working at it. Make sure that you are not sneaking stuff right before bed. Don't eat after supper time. I was told that you should eat like a king for breakfast, a prince for lunch and a pauper for supper. You may have slipped into a starvation mode also. (eating too few calories that your body thinks you need to store fat) I haven't reached that yet...but I have a lot to lose. You and I sound very similar in our food and what we will eat. I hate veggies and like dry sandwiches. My doctor told me that I should be able to find a salad dressing I like. I told him no...I prefer no dressing on my lettuce if I was going to eat it.On the side...birth control pills can cause weight gain because of the hormones. You may want to talk to your doctor and try a different pill that may not do that to you. I am sure that they are happy with your weight loss and don't want to make it harder for you.

I like your idea of eating like a King for breakfast, etc. I definitely do it the other way around, so I think I will start to give that a try! I'm trying not to sneak stuff before bed, but last night I was hungry (lol!) so I ate some goldfish again, but I put them in my log this time.

As far as the pills go, sadly, it's taken me forever to find ones that work, so I don't think I'm going to have ones that work and don't affect my weight. ):

I would definitely consider the birth control you're using; I was on the injection and it seemed no matter what I did my weight would not go down. I've stopped taking it and am not using any hormonal birth control until my body is back to normal,however long that takes! The injection was the first birth control I'd ever taken so I don't know much about the pill but most people I know are on jasminelle (might not be correct spelling) and they haven't gained weight from it..I guess everyone is different but if you think the pill might be a factor keep searching till you find one that suits you. I'm not sure how tall you are but I'm only 5ft1 if I'm lucky and was told I could have been on too high a dose of the hormone cause I'm so little. Anyway sorry for rambling! Best of luck

Hi I'm Jane,I allow me to integrate the discussion. I'd like to have some advices from you. I tried any weight loss programs but I regained weight. Today, I try to eat healthy but it's very difficult for me to lose weight. I'd want to find a natural way to boost my weight loss.Thank you, Jane.

What weight loss programs have you tried? I lost all my weight by calorie counting. I can eat whatever food I want, and I just keep it below a certain amount. It's a more sustainable way of losing weight.

When you're working out you may try to aim for your protein to be a little higher and your carbs to be a little bit lower. I saw you said in a previous post that you weren't recording those little bits here and there, like goldfish, make sure if you eat it you record it, then you won't have to ask where the slip up was, you'll know. Also, try eating things besides protein bars and shakes if possible. Have some eggs and turkey bacon with some whole grain toast for breakfast, and for lunch a salad or wrap with chicken and veggies (any that you like) and cottage cheese. Since I've been consistently eating around 1400 calories and I workout 5-6 days a week I've started to lose again, slowly, but I'm losing. For your veggies, if you can do spinach in a shake, can you throw it in with some pasta sauce or in a casserole? It cooks down quite a bit and you can't taste it very much. Do you like sweet potatoes? If so, microwave one to have with lunch or dinner, they're easy and yummy. Maybe look up some recipes and see if you can find something that looks good to you. It's a great time to try those veggies you haven't tried because you did't know if you'd like them. Try to have fun experimenting with your cooking. Good luck!

Thanks for the tips! I actually did start putting spinach in all of my shakes, it's the only way I can get veggies. I got some squash and zucchini the other day so I'm going to try and make some things with those. I know I need to eat more than protein bars and shakes, but sometimes I feel like I'm running out of time. This weekend I will try eggs and toast and bacon (sounds SO good!), I haven't had that in awhile. I think I'm going to start putting corn in some things too, because I know I like that. Thank you again!

Have you looked into Nutritional Ketosis. It is High fat/ Moderate protein/ Low carb. When I started it changed my entire body composition. You are more able to retain and build lean body mass. Plus the weight comes off!http://nkevolution.freeforums.net/

How to eat more veggies? Try them roasted. Use any veggie that isn't leafy: Carrots, onions, sweet potatoes, broccoli, cauliflower, pea pods, green beans, zucchini, pumpkin, pretty much anything. Even Brussels sprouts, probably the most hated vegetable in the world, turn delicious when roasted. And roasted asparagus is amazing!- Turn your oven or toaster-oven up very high, to 450 F/ 230 C / Gas mark 8. (Note: This doesn't work in a microwave.)- Spread your cut-up veggies on a cookie sheet or in a lasagna pan or cake pan. Put a little olive oil, salt and pepper on them and stir them around to get them evenly coated. (Or throw the veggies into a Ziploc bag with the oil, salt and pepper and play catch with the bag a few times, then pour the coated veggies onto the cookie sheet.)- Roast your veggies in the preheated oven for about 20 - 30 minutes (longer for thick solid veggies, like carrots), until they're nicely browned but not burnt. Your nose will tell you -- when they start smelling just a little sweet, check them for doneness. They're done when they're crisp on the outside and tender on the inside.Hope this helps!